Valentino Glam Lock Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Glam Lock Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag Red bag crafted from smooth calfskin leather
Valentino Glam Lock Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Valentino Glam Lock Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag Red bag crafted from smooth calfskin leather
Valentino Rockstud Neon bag
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Valentino neon rockstud bag. Great condition. Comes with dust bag.
VALENTINO black leather 2018 FREE ROCKSTUD SPIKE Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Free Rockstud Spike Small shoulder bag in smooth black leather and
VALENTINO burgundy leather ROCKSTUD GLAM LOCK MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Glam Lock flap bag in burgundy calfskin features edgy, oversized
VALENTINO powder pink leather ROCKSTUD GLAM LOCK MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Glam Lock flap bag in powder rose calfskin features edgy
Valentino Garavani, Rockstud leather bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Valentino Garavani, Rockstud leather bag with shoulder strap in very good condition. The item is in
Valentino Water Lilac Grained Calfskin Rockstud Hobo Bag
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Listing Title: Valentino Water Lilac Grained Calfskin Rockstud Hobo Bag SKU: Z146829 Condition: Pre
VALENTINO black leather ROCKSTUD MEDIUM TOTE Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Medium Rockstud Trapeze shoulder bag in black calfskin featuring signature
$541
H 9.75 in W 11.75 in D 4.5 in
Valentino Garavani Camel My Rockstud Monogram logo print top handle shoulder bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI Vintage Valentine Garavani trapezoidal style bag crafted in camel fabric that features
VALENTINO Parrot blue leather ROCKSTUD MEDIUM Tote Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Valentino Medium Rockstud Trapeze shoulder bag in Parrot (bright blue) calfskin
VALENTINO black leather 2017 LARGE DEMILUNE ROCKSTUD Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Large Demilune shoulder bag in black smooth calfskin embellished with a
VALENTINO black leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE DOUBLE ZIP CAMERA Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Spike Double Zip Camera Bag in black smooth calfskin leather. The
VALENTINO army & black leather REVERSIBLE ROCKSTUD ROLLING MEDIUM Tote Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Valentino Guitar Rockstud Rolling reversible tote is crafted from grained Alce
VALENTINO burgundy leather Rockstud VA VA VOOM LARGE TOTE Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Large Va Va Voom tote bag in burgundy smooth leather featuring light gold
Valentino New Red Rockstud Shoulder Bag
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Quilted Calfskin Convertible Shoulder Bag with platinum-finish studs
Valentino Garavani Leopard Rockstud Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in San Diego, CA
Rockstud' tote from Valentino Garavani featuring a clasp fastening, silver tone Rockstud
Valentino Grey Leather Rockstud Spike Chain Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Trust this Valentino Rockstud bag to be light durable and comfortable to carry. Crafted from
Unavailable
H 6.5 in W 3 in L 10.75 in
Valentino Glam Rockstud Orange Leather Medium Flap Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Bala Cynwyd, PA
This Valentino Glam Rockstud bag is new with tags, showing no signs of previous wear. It features a
Unavailable
Valentino Garavani Noir Rockstud Small Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Dover, DE
: 27/19/11 cm; Handles 51 cm, Shoulder strap 100 cm. BRAND: VALENTINO GARAVANI MODEL: Noir Rockstud
Valentino Rockstud Rolling Trapeze Tote Bag LW2B0339VQQ
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Brossard, QC
Red calf leather 'Rockstud Rolling' trapeze tote from Valentino featuring round top handles, a flip
Valentino Black Medium Rockstud Matelassé Bag LW0B0122NAP
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Brossard, QC
Shoulder bag in black. Signature pyramid stud detailing throughout. Detachable leather carry
Valentino Beige Medium Rockstud Matelassé Bag LW0B0122NAP
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Brossard, QC
Shoulder bag in beige. Signature pyramid stud detailing throughout. Detachable leather carry
Valentino Burgundy Medium Rockstud Matelassé Bag LW0B0122NAP
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Brossard, QC
Shoulder bag in burgundy. Signature pyramid stud detailing throughout. Detachable leather carry
Valentino Black Crocodile Rockstud Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Black crocodile shoulder bag by Valentino. Silver-tone hardware. Adjustable strap
Valentino Pink Leather Rockstud Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
marks to the leather on this used Valentino designer resale item. Details Pink Leather Medium shoulder
Valentino Rockstud Shoulder and Crossbody Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Valentino Garavani Rockstud shoulder bag in pink calfskin - Studs and metal parts painted - Zip
Valentino Rockstud Shoulder and Crossbody Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Valentino Garavani Rockstud shoulder bag in calfskin light blue - Studs and metal parts painted
Valentino Rockstud Bag
By Valentino
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
travel light. This bag has the classic Valentino Rockstud flip lock and studs on the edges and strap. The
Valentino New Pink Rockstud Shoulder Bag
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Quilted Calfskin Convertible hot Pink Shoulder Bag with pink studs and
Valentino Poudre Rockstud Glam Medium Lock Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Krakow, PL
100% authentic VALENTINO Vitello Medium Glam Lock Rockstud Flap Poudre. This stylish shoulder bag
Valentino Garavani Purple Leather Rockstud Shoulder Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in London, GB
tarnishing to the rock stud clasp on this used Valentino Garavani designer resale item. This bag comes with
Valentino Pink Leather Rockstud Trapeze Shoulder Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Simple but sophisticated bag thanks to the golden pyramidal studs embellished around the handles
VALENTINO black leather ROCKSTUD MEDIUM TOTE Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino "Rockstud Medium Tote" in black grained calfskin. Light gold pyramide stud details with a
VALENTINO indigo blue leather ROCKSTUD Crossboy Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Rockstud Medium' shoulder bag in indigo grained calfskin and light gold-tone metal studs
VALENTINO light red leather ROCKSTUD CAMERA Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Camera Bag in light red smooth leather embellished with gold-tone
VALENTINO olive green leather ROCKSTUD SADDLE Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Saddle bag in olive green calfskin featuring signature light gold
VALENTINO black leather GUITAR ROCKSTUD ROLLING Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino "Guitar Rockstud Rolling" shoulder bag in black grained Stampa Alce
VALENTINO black quilted leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Garavani Rockstud Spike Medium shoulder bag is crafted in quilted and
VALENTINO cream black leather 2015 ROCKSTUD CAMERA Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Camera Bag in black and cream smooth leather embellished with
Valentino Black/Gold Lambskin Medium Rockstud Spike Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Valentino Black/Gold Lambskin Medium Rockstud Spike Shoulder Bag Made In: Italy Color: Black
VALENTINO dark red leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Spike Medium shoulder bag in dark red smooth leather and accented
VALENTINO black leather ROCKSTUD GLAM LOCK MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Lock Medium' bag in black lambskin featuring light-gold tone pyramide studs over the
Valentino Fuchsia Leather Rockstud Bag
By Valentino
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Bag signed Valentina, Rockstud line, made of fuchsia leather with golden hardware. The product is
VALENTINO pale pink quilted leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino Garavani 'Rockstud Spike' medium shoulder bag is crafted in quilted pale rose calfskin
VALENTINO light blue quilted leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino Garavani 'Rockstud Spike' medium shoulder bag is crafted in quilted baby blue calfskin
VALENTINO metallic blue quilted leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino Garavani 'Rockstud Spike' medium shoulder bag is crafted in quilted metallic blue
VALENTINO air force blue leather ROCKSTUD MEDIUM TOTE Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Medium Rockstud' shoulder bag in airforce blue calfskin featuring signature patinum
VALENTINO tan brown quilted leather ROCKSTUD SPIKE MEDIUM Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Rockstud Spike' medium shoulder bag in tan quilted nappa leather featuring signature
VALENTINO black ROLLING ROCKSTUD SMALL CHAIN CROSSBOY CAMERA Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Rockstud Rolling Small Chain' crossbody camera bag in black grained calfskin embellished
VALENTINO emerald green leather ROCKSTUD GLAM LOCK SMALL Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Glam Lock Rockstud Small' chain shoulder bag in green smooth calfskin featuring green
Valentino Limited Edition Butterfly Rockstud Bag
By Valentino
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Valentino rockstud butterfly limited edition shoulder tote. Brand new from 2017 Pre-Fall collection
VALENTINO off-white leather ROCKSTUD GLAM LOCK SMALL Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Small Lock' chain shoulder bag in off-white smooth calfskin featuring light gold-tone
Valentino Black Velvet Rockstud Spike Bag
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Valentino Rockstud Spike model bag made of black velvet with silver hardware. Equipped with top
Valentino Tan Leather Rockstud Vava Voom Bag
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Tan leather Rockstud Vava Voom shoulder bag by Valentino. Single shoulder strap
Valentino Garavani Black Leather Rockstud Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in London, GB
dust bag. Details Model: Rockstud Black Leather Shoulder bag 1x Flap 1x Top
VALENTINO 'Rockstuds' Bag in Black Smooth Lamb Leather
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
Valentino 'Rockstuds' bag in black smooth lamb leather. Gilded metal hardware. The interior is in
Valentino Blue Leather Rockstud Trapeze Bag - PHW
By Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Valentino Blue Leather Rockstud Trapeze Bag - PHW. This unique, trendy bag is in excellent
Valentino Garavani Red Velvet Rockstud Spike Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in London, GB
Model: Rockstud Spike Red Velvet Shoulder bag Chain strap 1x Top handle Gold hardware Rock stud
Valentino Noir "va-va-voom" Ponyhair Rockstud Rhinestone Bag
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Valentino Noir Ponyhair Rockstud Bag with Rhinestone Studs Black ponyhair with gunmetal hardware
VALENTINO ivory leather GUITAR ROLLING ROCKSTUD Crossbody Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Guitar Rolling Rockstud crossbody bag in ivory grained calfskin featuring
VALENTINO red leather ROCKSTUD MEDIUM WRISTLET Clutch Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Rockstud' flap clutch in red smooth nappa leather featuring light gold-tone signature
VALENTINO cognac brown ROCKSTUD LEATHER & SUEDE HOBO Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Rockstud hobo in cognac brown suede and leather. Features gold-tone
VALENTINO camel brown grainy leather ROCKSTUD Top Handle Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Garavani Medium Rockstud top-handle bag in grainy brown calfskin featuring
VALENTINO pastel green ROCKSTUD MINI DOUBLE HANDLE TOTE Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
Valentino 'Rockstud Mini Double Handle' in pastel sage green calfskin featuring light gold-tone
VALENTINO navy blue grainy leather ROCKSTUD Shopping Tote Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino Garavani Rockstud tote bag in dark blue grainy calfskin leather. Top edge
VALENTINO Glicine purple leather 2023 ROCKSTUD POUCH Crossbody Bag
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Valentino Rockstud Pouch shoulder bag in Glicine (light purple) grainy calfskin
Sold
H 6.7 in W 10.24 in D 2.96 in
2019 Valentino Black Calfskin & Embellishment Tiger Rockstud Rolling Bag
By Valentino
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
VALENTINO Black Calfskin & Embellishment Tiger Rockstud Rolling Bag Xupes Reference: CB391 Serial
VALENTINO GARAVANI 'Vavavoom' Model Bag in Rockstud Crystal Mesh
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Paris, FR
Valentino Garavani 'Vavavoom' bag in rockstud crystal mesh. Front handle with decorative studs with
Valentino Light Cuir Tan Leather Rockstud Hobo Crossbody Bag rt.$2395
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
pocket Closure: Flip lock Current Retail: $2,395 Includes: Valentino dust bag Overall
Valentino NWT Black Embroidered Medium Rockstud Spike Flap Bag rt. $4, 045
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Valentino NWT Black Leather Butterfly Embroidered Medium Rockstud Spike Flap Bag Made In: Italy
Valentino Garavani Pink Mini Rockstud Spike Bucket Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Valentino Rockstud Quilted Bucket Bag In Pink. Valentino bucket bag crafted in quilted leather with
Valentino Pink Leather Rockstud Trapeze Tote Bag with Strap 863144
By Valentino
Located in Dix hills, NY
Minor rub on a part of handle Minor spot on a part of handle (Shoulder) Minor crack on the edge of the
Hermès Birkin 35 Raisin Clemence Gold
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès Birkin 35 in the taurillon clemence Raisin with gold tone hardware. Pre-owned in excellent condition. Generic dust cover and original box.
Opulent Jeweled Serpent Clasp Evening Bag
Located in University City, MO
Opulent jeweled serpent clasp evening bag The elegant evening bag is designed with a crystal encrusted serpent clasp The embossed chocolate brown vinyl covering emulates re...
Valentino Garavani Bag In Purple Alligator
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
Golden jewelry. Zip closure. The interior is in golden leather. Serial number: BSXAB912T In very good condition. Slight wear and tear on one of the flowers and on the border along th...
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
New With Tags Valentino Fall 2018 Python Evening Bag Minaudière $2975
By Valentino
Located in Conroe, TX
Valentino Minaudière $2975 Fall 2018 New With Tags & Box Python and Leather Exterior Gold-Tone Hardware Chain-Link Shoulder Strap Leather Lining Push-Lock Closure at Top Shoulder S...
Hermès Address Tag for Luggage Suitcase in Naturel Leather
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Cute Authentic Hermès Adress Tag You can write your address or phone number directly on the lines provided for this purpose Made in France Made of Smooth Vache Hunter Leather Col...
$1,995Sale Price|33% Off
$2990 New 2025 Oscar De La Renta "The Topaz" Calf Leather Tote Bag
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Conroe, TX
Oscar De La Renta Brand New Pre-Spring 2025 "The Topaz" $2990 Deep Red Wine With Dust Cover & Tags Crafted from full-grain pebbled leather, this large tote seamlessly blends elegan...
1960s Italian Black + Gold Beaded Vintage 60s Evening Bag Handbag Purse
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning 1960s black and gold beaded Italian evening bag! Intricate gold chain can be worn on the shoulder, or crossbody. Snaps shut to secure all your belongings. Fits more than re...
S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Grey Snake Pattern Beaded Chain Flat Shoulder Bag
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Tom Ford designed this stunning grey beaded tote for Gucci's Spring/Summer 2000 collection. The slouchy tote is intricately hand-beaded with countless iridescent beads, forming a str...
HERMES Rouge H burgundy Box leather CONSTANCE 23 Bag w Gold VINTAGE
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermès Constance 23 shoulder bag in Rouge H Veau Box leather featuring gold-plated hardware. Vintage from 1976. Lined in burgundy lambskin with one zipper pocket again...
HERMES black Box leather KELLY 25 SELLIER Bag Phw
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier bag in Noir (black) Veau Box leather is a true collector's piece, crafted from one of Hermès' most coveted and rare leathers. Veau Box lea...
Hermes Limited Edition Mini Kelly 20 Sellier Beton Matte Alligator Bag Gold Hard
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Limited Edition Hermes Kelly 20 Sellier bag featured in Beton Matte Alligator. This mini Kelly bag is light gray with bone undertone (beton + concrete), and the n...
$12,920
H 6.25 in W 2.25 in L 11.25 in
Chanel Classic Vintage Caviar CC Black Diamond Quilted Timeless Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Classic Vintage Caviar CC Black Diamond Quilted Timeless Clutch This stylish clutch is beautifully crafted of black diamond quilted caviar leather. The clutch features a poli...
Hermes Kelly Pochette Clutch Bag Gris Elephant CrocodilePalladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Hermes exquisite Kelly Pochette bag featured in rare Gris Elephant Crocodile Complimented with Palladium hardware. Signature stamp on interior. Small interior compartment. Comes with...
Christian Dior John Galliano Fall/Winter 2007 Hot Pink Skirt Suit Size 38FR
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2007 Hot Pink Skirt Suit with Crystal Buckle, Snake Skin Belt Size 38FR - John Galliano for Christian Dior.
Valentino 2018 Sac VLogo Green Leather Golden Chain Strap VLogo Shoulder Bag
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Valentino bag model VLogo (?) Large format in dark green leather, removable shoulder strap in gold metal chain decorated with a leather shoulder tab, leather interior with 1 patch po...
CHRISTIAN DIOR red Cannage leather LARGE LADY DIOR Tote Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior Large Lady Dior shoulder bag in red cannage lambskin featuring silver-tone hardware. Opens with a zipper on top and is lined in red classic Dior Oblique...
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions. And while lovers of luxury handbags and purses are savvier now and have a wider range of shopping options, classics created by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.
While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.
The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.
A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.
Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.